Plus sized model Ashley Graham fights body-shamers

The model and activist penned an essay for women’s website The Lenny Letter titled “Shamed if I do, Shamed if I Don’t.” Ashley talks about the frustration of being both a model and an advocate for all body types.

“No matter how many empowerment conferences, TED talks, and blog posts are out there, women keep tearing one another down over physical appearance. Body shaming isn’t just telling the big girl to cover up. It’s trying to shame me for working out.” she says. “What type of example are we setting for young girls and their self-esteem if grown adults are on Instagram calling other women “cowards” for losing weight, or “ugly” for being overweight?”

Ashley says that if she appears to have lost weight, she is deemed a traitor to the body positivity movement. If she appears to have gained weight, then she is deemed ugly and intrinsically less valuable to society.

“I am more than my measurements. I’m not Ashley Graham just because I’m curvy,” she writes.

Ashley Graham made history as the first plus-sized model to be featured in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue earlier this year.

Do you think things are things getting better or worse for body acceptance? Tell us in the comments. ~ Yanis Khamsi

Ok people. I’ve dated girls of all different sizes. Now that woman is Phat and not in a bad way. No guy likes a toothpick. Well unless the guys got a pinky sized dick. But yet commercialized photos and ads. All portray women to look like skinny sluts or prostitutes. Don’t get me wrong it’s sexy if they’ve got it. But women should have some meat on them.

Mindy • August 4, 2016 @ 3:45 AM

It’s about time people stopped paying attention to what other people do and look in the mirror instead. Someone else’s body weight and everything else about them, including hair colour, make up, clothing, is not your business. Keep your stupid comments to yourselves.

Yvonne • August 4, 2016 @ 10:45 AM

In the grand scheme of things, how important is this? I just wish that folks would just shut their gobs and play by the Golden Rule. Treat everyone the way you expect to be treated. What’s in your heart,(most of these halftwits have no heart or soul)is most important. If you ALLOW what people say or do to you by inserting themselves in your life you allow their behaviour as well. People, for the most part are decent.Just go out there with your head held high and k ow you did something good today! Ashley, you seem like an amazing girl. Take the world by the tail and give it a go! You are young,beautiful and have a head full of knowledge! Keep up the great work and never let anyone take away your beautiful smile. xo